US beggar prefers the shoeless life

A NEW York police officer rocketed to overnight fame when a tourist filmed him giving new boots to a homeless man, and posted the video online. But when a reporter caught up with the beggar, the man was shoeless again.

What happened?

"Those shoes are hidden. They are worth a lot of money," the homeless man, identified as Jeffrey Hillman, 54, told The New York Times. "I could lose my life."

Hillman, who first arrived in New York 10 years ago, said he was surprised by all the attention.

"I was put on YouTube, I was put on everything without permission. What do I get?" he asked. "This went around the world, and I want a piece of the pie."

A photo taken by a tourist of Hillman and the police officer, 25 year-old Lawrence DePrimo, that was posted on the police department's Facebook page has received more than 600,000 "likes".

"I appreciate what the officer did, don't get me wrong," Hillman told The Times. "I wish there were more people like him in the world."

Hillman clearly prefers the unshod life: since he has been in the news a woman has come forward to say she bought him a pair of shoes a year ago.

Nevertheless, DePrimo's gesture of kindness has inspired many people.

"That's actually the real meaning of Christmas. Sharing your gifts with someone who is really in need. Not just exchanging expensive gifts with each other," commented one Shabana Joseph on the police department's Facebook page.